XXXIII EUROPEAN BACKGAMMON CHAMPIONSHIP – MEMORIAL ALBERTO da PRA & 18th EUROPEAN DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP

The XXXIII EUROPEAN BACKGAMMON CHAMPIONSHIP is scheduled at the Casino Innsbruck (Austria) from 5^th to 8^th October 2023 (main tournament on 6^th, 7^th and 8^th October 2023).

It will be four very intense days, with many different tournaments available to players.

This is the third edition that takes place at the Casino of Innsbruck, the capital of Tyrol (Austria). Do not miss the welcome cocktail with Tyrolean dinner which is our way of thanking the intervening players.

Another feature of the Championship is The best play the best divided into two categories: Master and Intermediate. This tournament is free, participation is reserved for players who have won the European Championship and have the WBF Golden Card 2023. The winners will have the right to participate for free, in their category,Hope you can join us for this exciting event in Austria!
Don’t miss this great event!

Don’t forget that pre-registered players (by email or What’sApp) will have a free entry into the One Point Match tournament.

To be announced at the Tournament

Marco Fornasir
sanctioned by the WBF – Worldwide Backgammon Federation

The WBF sanction is guarantee of transparency and fairness since 1986

Marco Fornasir – Worldwide Backgammon Federation
mob. +39 337 303804 – ph. & fax +39 0331 923537 –
email info@wbf.net
Facebook page: EUROPEAN BACKGAMMON CHAMPIONSHIP

Double elimination with Main, Progressive Second Chance and Last Chance

The final of the Master category between the Undefeated winner and the winner of the Second Chance will be played at 17 points. If the winner of the Second Chance wins, another match will be played at 9 points.

The final of the Intermediate category between the Undefeated winner and the winner of the Second Chance will be played at 13 points. If the winner of the Second Chance wins, another match will be played at 7 points.

Before registering for the tournament,it is mandatory to purchase the 30 € pack of chips (cost 27 €)

Master (Double elimination format: main 13 points – progressive second chance 9 points + last chance) 300 €
+ registration min. 50 €/max 70 €
Side Pot (optional) 200 €
Quarter entry Master 90 €

Intermediate (Double elimination format: main 9 points – progressive second chance 7 points + last chance) 100 €
+ registration min. 50 €/max 70 €

Doubles (first round match length 7/9 points)
300 € per team + registration 60 €

Super-Jackpot (all rounds 11 points)
500 € (deduction 8%)

Seniors Tournament (age +50)
(first round match length 7 points – final 9 points))
50 € + registration 10 €

Ladies Tournament (first round match length 5/7 points)
50 € + registration 10 €

Warm-up (all rounds match length 5 / final 7 points)
free-of-charge for registered players only

The best play the best  (Master: all rounds match length 7 / final 9 points | Intermediate: all rounds match length 5 / final 7 points)
free-of-charge, reserved to past European Champions only

(Master and Intermediate cat. | registered and WBF supporters 2023 | min. 8 players for each category)

Including Friday welcome cocktail with Tyrolean food and Sunday Awarding Ceremony cocktail

Before registering for the tournament, it is mandatory to purchase the 30 € pack of chips (cost 27 €)

2023 WBF SUPPORTERS 50 €

2023 A.B.A. MEMBERS 60 €

OPEN 70 €

DOUBLES 60 € per team

SENIORS TOURNAMENT 10 €

LADIES TOURNAMENT 10 €

The 2023 WBF GOLDEN CARD will be available at the tournament desk

Pre-registration is strongly recommended.

The player who will pre-register via email at info@wbf.net (also indicating the hotel booked), will receive one free entry to the One Point Match

List of 49 players admitted past winners of European Championship Master, European Championship Champion, Tyrolean Backgammon Open Master

Peter Blachian | Germany
Fernando Braconi | Italy
Honza Cerny | Czech Republic
Martin de Bruin | USA
Feza Diyarbekir | Turkey
Neculai Draganuta | Romania
Horst Ernst | Germany
Arda Findikoglu | Turkey
Elio Hamoui | Israel/Italy
Tobias Hellwag | Germany

Antonio Iaquinta | Italy
Helmut Gerdenits | Austria
Christos Groutsos | Greece
Ferat Gündogan | Turkey/Germany
Harald Johanni | Germany
Shimon Kagan | Israel
Michihito Kageyama | Japan
Nicholas Kitt | Romania
Hans Uli Koch | Germany
Roman Korber | Austria

Matthias Körner | Germany
Michael Löfblad | Sweden
Thomas Löw | Germany
Thomas Lumper | Germany
Gordan Markotic | Croatia
Rino Mathis | Switzerland
Barry McAdam | Scotland †
Michael Meyburg | Germany
Masayuki “Mochy” Mochizuki | Japan
Ciprian Radulescu | Romania

Fritz Rattinger | Austria
Werner Reisel | Austria/Germany
Ion Ressu | Romania †
Eli Roymi | Israel
Paolo Satriani | Italy
Werner Schmuck | Austria
Oliver Schneider | Germany
Mario Sequeira | Portugal †
Michel Serrero | France
John Slattery | Scotland

Tilman Söhnchen | Germany
Ingrid Sonnabend | Germany
Alfredo Sperti | Italy
Katja Sophie Spillum Svendsen | Norway
François Tardieu | France
Evert van Eijck | Holland
Rolf Vetsch | Switzerland
Claus Weissbarth | Germany
Beatrice Zondler | Germany

List of 28 players admitted past winners of European Championship Intermediate, European Championship Beginner, Tyrolean Backgammon Open Intermediate

Jeffrey Ansari | USA
Shadi Azizian | Italy
Stefano Catani | Italy
Enrico Colangiuolo | Italy
Neculai Draganuta | Romania
Reinhold Drugowitsch | Austria
Husam Ali Gaeed | Iraq/Austria
Davide Gollin | Italy
Filippo Gottardis | Italy
Alan Herskind | Denmark

Nicholas Kitt | Romania
Seda Koç | Turkey
Nadya Marinova | Bulgaria
Massimo Molho | Italy
Kazuko Numazawa | Japan
Francesco Oliva | Italy
Inge Pfettrisch | Germany
Damjan Plesec | Slovenia
Rudolf Prohaska | Austria
Mihai Raducanu | Romania/Italy †

Luciano Rubbi | Italy †
Sureyya Sertasi | Turkey
Renato Sovani | Italy
Alfredo Sperti | Italy
Mahmoud Taha | Egypt/Austria
Daniel Tudose | Romania/Italy
Peter Winkler | Austria
Giovanna Zen | Italy

100% of all entry will be returned to the players.
The money-prizes for each category will be divided as follows:
Main: Winner 40%, Finalist 20%, 3rd classified 12%, 4th classified 8%, 5th classified 8%

Last Chance: Winner 10%, Finalist 2%

WBF offers one free entry (500€ worth) for the Master Winnerfor the next 10th Merit Open 2023(personal and non-transferable prize,available only for the 2023 edition)

The money-prizes for Doubles will be divided as follows:
<16 teams: 65% winner, 35% finalist
>16 teams: 50% winner, 25% finalist, 12,5% each Semi-finalist

The money-prizes for Seniors Tournament will be divided as follows:
<8: 65% winner, 35% finalist
>8: 50% winner, 25% finalist, 12,5% each Semi-finalist

The money-prizes for Ladies Tournament will be divided as follows:
<8: 65% winner, 35% finalist
>8: 50% winner, 25% finalist, 12,5% each Semi-finalist

The money-prizes for Super-Jackpot will be divided as follows:
65% winner, 35% finalist

Casino Innsbruck offers to the winner of the Warm-up a free week-end for two (B&B) in Innsbruck for next year tournament

Various trophies are offered by WBF to the winners in the two categories, including European Doubles Championship, Ladies Prize, Seniors Tournament, Ladies Tournament, Warm-up, The best play the best, Super-Jackpot and One Point Matches.

Special Trophy is offered in memory of the WBF Founder Alberto da Pra to the winners of the European Backgammon Championship 2023 Memorial Alberto da Pra (Formula 1  and  F. 3).

The trophies will be presented only during the awarding ceremony.

SPECIAL RATES FOR BACKGAMMON PLAYERS:

Prices (breakfast included) are valid only  for reservations made directly and not through travel agencies or Booking.com and similar websites. It is preferable to book in advance, mentioning the passwordBackgammon

Innsbruck can be easely reached by train, bus (Flixbus) and by car.
The Innsbruck-Kranebitten airport is located 4 km from the city center. Innsbruck Airport handles round 50 different airlines a year, including Austrian Airlines, British Airways, easy Jet, Eurowings, Finnair, etc.)
Innsbruck is the charming capital of Tyrol.
Air temperature in October is + 5/16° C.

INN 22 MAPPA

15:30 Registration at the Casino Innsbruck; Start of play Quarters, Seniors, Jackpots and One Point Matches
17:00 Public draw for Warm-up (free of charge – for registered players only)
17:30 Start of play Warm-up
19:30-21:00 Break for dinner
21:00 Public draw for European Doubles Championship
21:30 Start of European Doubles Championship and Warm-up, Quarters, Seniors, Jackpots and One Point Matches continue

14:00 Registration at the Casino Innsbruck
14:30 Public draw and Start of The best play the best (Master and Intermediate)
15:00 European Doubles Championship, Warm-up, Quarters, Seniors, Jackpots and One Point Matches continue
19:30 Welcome cocktail and Tyrolean food at Casino Innsbruck; Last Registration at the Casino Innsbruck
21:00 Public draw
21:30 Start of play Main Tournament (first two rounds of main) both division; Jackpots and One Point Matches continue

14:00 Main Tournament: main both division continue and start of progressive second chance
15:30 Doubles Championship, Warm-up, Quarters, Seniors, Jackpots and One Point Matches continue
18:30 Start of Ladies Tournament
19:30-21:00 Break for dinner
21:00 Play continues
21:30 Start of Casino Innsbruck Super-Jackpot

13:00 Start of Last Chance Tournament
14:00 Start of Finals; Super-Jackpot, Jackpots and One Point Matches continue
18:30 Awards ceremony and cocktail in the Casino Innsbruck

WBF Tournament rules will apply.
The rule of legal moves is NOT valid in any category of the tournament.
No clocks will be used during the tournament, except in case of big delay on the tournament matches.
Tournament director keeps the right to oblige the usage of clocks in any round of any category.
The draw is manual (not computerized), public and random.
The Tournament matches take precedence over all other forms of play.
Only cash payment is accepted.
The Tournament Committee reserves the right to refuse application to play and/or forbid admittance without giving any reason since the Tournament is by WBF invitation only.
Should a player wish to leave the playing area during the Tournament, he/she must inform the Tournament Director.
Failure to do so may results in penalty points being given.
The daily break for dinner is between 19:30 and 21:00.
No smoking in the main playing room.
The Tournament will be played on professional tournament boards.
The boards are regularly cleaned and disinfected before every tournament.
Dice Service is provided by WBF, discount for 2023 WBF Supporter.
No admittance without proper dress.
The jacket is recommended for the welcome cocktail and the award ceremony.
The organization reserves the right to change the program in any of its parts. Changes will be announced in advance and posted on the Notice Board.
The trophies will be presented only during the awarding ceremony.

Admission to Casino with photo id card only.
Only persons with legal age may enter the Casino (18 or older)

2022 European Champion
Tobias Hellwag | Germany

2022 European Doubles Champions
Maurizio Fidora | Italy / Marc Steyvers | Belgium/Spain

2022 Intermediate European Champion
Reinhold Drugowitsch | Austria

OFFICIAL EUROPEAN TITLES
since 1989

2022 Tobias Hellwag | Germany
2021 Tilman Söhnchen | Germany
2020 not assigned
2019 not assigned
2018 Neculai Draganuta | Romania
2017 Fritz Rattinger | Austria
2016 Ciprian Radulescu | Romania
2015 Roman Korber | Austria
2014 Peter Blachian | Germany
2013 Michihito Kageyama | Japan
2012 Masayuki “Mochy” Mochizuki | Japan
2011 Shimon Kagan | Israel
2010 Eli Roymi | Israel
2009 Christos Groutsos | Greece
2008 Fernando Braconi | Italy
2007 Werner Schmuck | Austria
2006 Michel Serrero | France
2005 François Tardieu | France
2004 François Tardieu | France
2003 John Slattery | Scotland
2002 Katja Sophie Spillum Svendsen | Norway
2001 François Tardieu | France
2000 Harald Johanni | Germany
1999 Mario Sequeira | Portugal †
1998 Elio Hamoui | Israel/Italy
1997 Michael Löfblad | Sweden
1996 Nicholas Kitt | Romania
1995 Evert van Eijck | Holland
1994 Ion Ressu | Romania/Switzerland †
1993 Matthias Körner | Germany
1992 Ion Ressu | Romania/Switzerland †
1991 Michael Meyburg | Germany
1990 Thomas Lumper | Germany
1989 Barry McAdam | Scotland †

OFFICIAL EUROPEAN DOUBLES TITLES
since 2003

2022 Maurizio Fidora | Italy / Marc Steyvers | Belgium/Spain
2021 Andreas Sauseng / Horst Zacharski | Austria
2020 not assigned
2019 not assigned
2018 Werner Schmuck / Horst Zacharski | Austria
2017 Stefan Parlow | Austria / Bernhard-Ludwig Winkelhaus | Germany
2016 Ingo Mohr | Germany / Svetlana Mohr | Ukraine
2015 Neculai Draganuta / Dorel Leon | Romania
2014 Michel Lamote / Walter Meuwis | Belgium
2013 Masayuki Mochizuki | Japan / Marion Weeber | Germany
2012 Ugo Piazza | Italy / Michel Serrero | France
2011 David Boldini | Switzerland / Hormoz Shahrokhshahi | Iran/Germany †
2010 Yiorgos Kleitsas † / Manos Mastorakis | Greece
2009 Francesco Grimaldi | Italy / Mario Sequeira | Portugal †
2008 George Simpson / Cemalettin Yüksel | Turkey
2007 Jerzy Behnke / Ronald Reinhardt | Germany
2006 Rainer Witt | Hans Christoph Weber | Germany
2005 Wolfgang Haas | Austria / Daniel Scheidiger | Switzerland
2004 not assigned
2003 Paul Magriel | USA † / Andreas Nussbaecher | Germany

OFFICIAL EUROPEAN CHAMPION TITLES
1993 – 2013

2013 Antonio Iaquinta | Italy
2012 Honza Cerny | Czech Republic
2011 Arda Findikoglu | Turkey
2010 Ferat Gündogan | Turkey/Germany
2009 Helmut Gerdenits | Austria
2008 Feza Diyarbekir | Turkey
2007 Oliver Schneider | Germany
2006 Martin de Bruin | USA
2005 Thomas Löw | Germany
2004 Hans Uli Koch | Germany
2003 Horst Ernst | Germany
2002 Rolf Vetsch | Switzerland
2001 Ingrid Sonnabend | Germany
2000 Paolo Satriani | Italy
1999 Werner Reisel | Austria
1998 Alfredo Sperti | Italy
1997 Beatrice Zondler | Germany
1996 Gordan Markotic | Croatia
1995 Claus Weissbarth | Germany
1994 Ion Ressu | Romania †
1993 Rino Mathis | Switzerland

OFFICIAL EUROPEAN CHAMPION DOUBLES TITLES
2003

2003 Daniel Bruni / Daniel Scheidiger | Switzerland

OFFICIAL EUROPEAN INTERMEDIATE TITLES
since 1993

2022 Reinhold Drugowitsch | Austria
2021 Husam Ali Gaeed | Iraq/Austria
2020 not assigned
2019 not assigned
2018 Peter Winkler | Austria
2017 Massimo Molho | Italy
2016 Francesco Oliva | Italy
2015 Mahmoud Taha | Egypt/Austria
2014 Damjan Plesec | Slovenia
2013 Rudolf Prohaska | Austria
2012 Daniel Tudose | Romania/Italy
2011 Seda Koç | Turkey
2010 Shadi Azizian | Italy
2009 Inge Pfettrisch | Germany
2008 Seda Koç | Turkey
2007 Sureyya Sertasi | Turkey
2006 Filippo Gottardis | Italy
2005 Nadya Marinova | Bulgaria
2004 Alfredo Sperti | Italy
2003 Renato Sovani | Italy
2002 Neculai Draganuta | Romania
2001 Davide Gollin | Italy
2000 Stefano Catani | Italy
1999 Kazuko Numazawa | Japan
1998 Giovanna Zen | Italy
1997 Mihai Raducanu | Romania/Italy †
1996 Enrico Colangiuolo | Italy
1995 Luciano Rubbi | Italy †
1994 Nicholas Kitt | Romania
1993 Alan Herskind | Denmark

OFFICIAL EUROPEAN BEGINNER TITLES
1993

1993 Jeffrey Ansari | USA